HONG KONG (Feb 1): The prospect of US interest rates being kept near zero until late-2014 may keep a lid on any rises in Hong Kong home loan rates, but will not be a magic wand for the sluggish local property market, say analysts.

HONG KONG (Feb 1): A low-density residential site being offered for tender in Tuen Mun is expected to sell for up to HK$3.76 billion (RM1.48 billion), property analysts say.

The government released the site at Castle Peak Road in So Kwun Wat, Tuen Mun, for tender in December last year. The tender period will close on Friday.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 31): Sentoria Group Bhd, developer and operator of Bukit Gambang Resort City (BGRC) in Pahang, plans to invest some RM48 million in a second theme park, dubbed Bukit Gambang Safari Park, in the resort city.

SYDNEY (Jan 31): Australian business conditions were stable in December as cuts in interest rates helped offset the gloom engulfing Europe, a survey showed on Tuesday, while an easing in price pressures pointed to scope for further stimulus ahead.

HONG KONG (Jan 31): The lack of home sales recorded in Beijing over the week-long Lunar New Year holiday was the result of a technical issue and concern over the issue is misplaced, Deutsche Bank AG said in a research note on Tuesday.

SINGAPORE (Jan 31): Located in an exclusive neighbourhood near Singapore's Orchard Road shopping district, Nassim Hill condominium boasts 16 luxury triplex apartments with private rooftop pools and gardens.

ALOR SETAR (Jan 31): Fire destroyed three business premises located in a three storey building in Jalan Teluk Wan Jah here early on Tuesday.

The fire at about 4am destroyed an electrical appliance shop, a beauty centre and an insurance office.

JOHOR BAHRU (Jan 30): Seri Alam Properties Sdn Bhd (SAP), a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Malayan Land Bhd (UMLand), has opened its new corporate office and sales gallery in Bandar Seri Alam, Johor, named Galleria Seri Alam.

PENANG: Penang Island's residential sector retained the lion's share of transactions in the property market in terms of total value and volume in 2011 and real estate consultancy Henry Butcher Malaysia (Penang) Sdn Bhd expects a more "cautiously optimistic" outlook for the sector this year.

BEIJING (Jan 30): Chinese banks extended a total of 1.26 trillion yuan (RM608.27 billion) in new loans to property developers and home buyers in 2011, down 38% from 2010, the central bank said in a statement on its website on Monday.